Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1887-09-12

grown up, they still regarded each
other with affection. His tribe eN-
pected that AvanSa would, some day,
take Wanita for his squaw.
felt great dislike to Avansa.
The Klamath Indians are anything
but prepossessing in appearance ;
and Avansa was one of the most ugly
specimens of his tribe.
One day my husband brought home
some meat, and suspended it from a
tree. California fashion, until such
time as we might have occasion to
use it. The next day, while Mr..
Coleman was absent, Avansa and an
other Indian rode up to the door.
Avansa remained outside while his
companion came in, and began TO
talk with me.
Dubrey, who was suffering from a
nervous headache. had remained in
his room that day. From his win
dow he saw Avansa ride up to the
tree from which the meat hung. and
reach up TO cut it down. Like IT,
ger Dubrev rushed from the house
and. without 4 moments warning,
struck Avansa from his horse.
Frothing with rage. and swearing
vengeance, Avansa rose from the
ground. and, springing upon his
horse. rode quickly away.
"Why did you strike him, David =
l asked. in great distress. You
have made him your enemy, and he
will try to murder you now"
The dirty, thieving villain :" ex-
claimed David in contempt; He Is
too cowardly to harm anybody. The
whole affair was a plot to secure the
meat. Avansa, supposing you to be
alone, sent the Indian in to engage
you in conversation. and thus take
up your attention while he made off
with the meat"
Woman-like, l had to tell the first
person l saw about Avansa. That
person happened to be Wanita.
Il hope you viii never marry him,
Wanita. l said, in conclusion.
i never intend to- she replied,
with decision.
We were standing in the door
while talking; and, as my eyes wan
dered idly over the hills, saw Avan-
sa.
He had stripped himself Of nearly
all his clothing, and carried a long
knife in his hand. He did not ap-
pear TO see either of Us. Wanita ex-
planned TO me that when any young
brave OF their tribe wanted an espec-
ial favor granted him by the Great
Spirit he went out equipped in this
manner, and cut of the highest
branches Of fir trees and carried them
70 q sweat house.
what are sweat houses = / asked.
"Houses dug in the ground and
rooted over. There is a small open
ing in the top to allow the smoke TO
pass out. The squaws, who are ex-
pected to get wood for every other
purpose, are never allowed to get
wood for the sweat houses"
"What do they use these houses
for:" inquired.
The brave who desires a favor Of
the Great Spirit carries his fir branch
es into the sweat house. He builds
a great fire Of them. and remains
there until he IS covered with perspi-
ration, and Is so weak he can hardly
stand. Then he jumps into a river.
and swims around for a few minutes
Before going into the sweat house he
cuts his arms and legs until they are
covered with blood, often driving
sticks into the wounds until the sin
ews are exposed 70 view.
"Dear Wanita. do you believe in
this Great Spirit, and do you think
be is pleased with any such perform
ance:" / asked.
Il do not know" she answered
dreamily, as if in deep thought. alt
Is true that nearly every request is
granted when the young braves do
this way. Whatever plan Ayansa
has on hand will be certain u sue
ceed, now that he i performing this
rite. Ny teachers at Orleans Bar
tried to tell me Of their God. But
He seemed 50 far away, 50 infinite,
that / could not understand about
Him"
was about to explain Gods na-
ture, and His great love for Us but.
At that moment, Dubrey Joined ~,
and the conversation took another
turn.
After my husband had returned,
and supper had been eaten, a. Il was
q bright moonlight night, I proposed
that We should all walk home with
Wanita. After We started, my hus-
band began 70 talk, in his usual en-
thusiastic way, 10 me about bis mine
and the gold he was going u take
from il and we became u pre-Occu-
pied in our castle building that We
forgot even the existence Of Wanita
and Dubrey. When we were just
opposite Marine Cave we came 70
our senses, and, looking back, saw
they were DOT yet in sight.
"Let's 60 in here, and jump out a.
them as they 20 past, ! said.
Mr.. Coleman had always INDUCED
even my most foolish Wishes, aDd be-